Mammograms don’t prevent breast cancer, but they can save lives by finding breast cancer as early as possible.
The value of screening mammograms was questioned in November 2009 when the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended that routine screening mammograms for women with an average risk of breast cancer.
Following the controversy, the American Medical Association, the American College of Obstetricians, the American College of Radiology, the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network all have issued guidelines saying that all women should be eligible for screening mammograms starting at age 40.
Finding breast cancers early with mammography has also meant that many more women being treated for breast cancer are able to keep their breasts. When caught early, localized cancers can be removed without resorting to breast removal (mastectomy).
The main risk of mammograms is that they aren’t perfect. Sometimes, normal breast tissue can hide a breast cancer so that it doesn’t show up on the mammogram. This is known as a false negative. Mammography can also identify an abnormality that looks like cancer, but turns out to be normal.
This “false alarm” is called a false positive. Besides worrying about being diagnosed with breast cancer, a false positive means more tests and follow-up visits, which can be stressful. To make up for these limitations, more than mammography is often needed. Women also need to practice breast self-examination, and get regular check-ups. Check-ups may well include breast imaging, such as a breast MRI or ultrasound.
Some women are concerned about the risks of radiation exposure from mammography. Modern-day mammography only involves a tiny amount of radiation – even less than a standard chest X-ray.
A few tips for having a successful mammogram:
- They can save your life. Finding breast cancer early reduces your risk of dying from the disease by 25-30% or more. Women should begin having mammograms yearly at age 40, or earlier if they’re at high risk.
- Go for quality. If you happen to have dense breasts or are under age 50, try to get a digital mammogram. A digital mammogram is recorded onto a computer so that doctors can enlarge certain sections to look at them more closely.
- Fear not. Mammography is over quickly (about 20 minutes), and discomfort is minimal for most women. The procedure is safe: there’s only a very tiny amount of radiation exposure from a mammogram. To relieve the anxiety of waiting for results, go to a center that will give you results before you leave.
Contact the Comprehensive Breast Care Center closest to you for more information about receiving a mammogram or 3D mammogram. Our offices are located in North Miami Beach, Aventura, & South Dade. Our doctors use the most advanced technology to detect breast cancer early. Remember, early detection is the best protection. Call 1 (800) 371.0002 today.
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